Home, garden show returns to fairgrounds

RICKREALL — Need some new ideas for your home or backyard? How about a chicken — or maybe a tiny guest house? You can learn about both at the seventh-annual Polk Home and Garden Show at the Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center in Rickreall this weekend. The Monmouth-Independence Chicken Revolution — the group that helped pass ordinances in the two cities to allow residents to raise chickens within city limits — will host a pair of free seminars on keeping chickens as pets. The first, “My Pets Make My Breakfast,” an introduction to backyard chickens, will take place Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. M-I Revolution’s second seminar on building a backyard coop, “Plan for the Worst and Hope for the Best,” demonstrates design ideas and is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The organization will also have a booth at the show with more tips for those interested in getting a feathered friend for their yard. Deb Thomas, the home and garden show coordinator, said backyard chickens is a popular topic, so she decided to invite the local experts to the show. “It sounds like fun,” she said. “I sure will be going to a seminar.” As for the tiny guest house, Salem-based Zoe Cottages will be displaying one of the company’s cleverly designed miniature living quarters in the fairgrounds parking lot. Zoe Cottages also will have a booth for guests to learn all about “small living.” Thomas said learning to live in smaller spaces is also a growing trend. “Everybody is going smaller and all the younger people are living in smaller spaces,” she said. For those simply looking for remodeling ideas or ways to spruce up the yard and garden, the Polk Home and Garden show has that covered, too. Exhibitors specializing in kitchen remodels, home heating and cooling systems, appliances, flooring, painting, patios, plant sales and garden care will have merchandise and information available at the show. “It’s just a whole variety of ideas for your home and garden,” Thomas said. “Vendors also will have good discounts on services and products.” Check It Out What: 2014 Polk Home and Garden Show. When: Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 520 S. Pacific Highway (99W), Rickreall. Admission and parking: Free. For more information: www.polkhomeandgardenshow.com.